We introduce you to saddle soaps, a proprietary compound to protect saddles and keep them up to mark for as long as they are of use. With the recent innovations and brand-new additions to the fancy requisites of equestrianism comes the need to revitalize and keep all the equipment in its best form.
Saddle soaps are wax or oil-based gentle purifiers that not only scrub off visible dirt and gunk but also condition and nourish the leather, eliminate wrinkles and leave a glossy sheen afterward.
But why does one feel the need to buy a saddle soap? Horse riders or those who are responsible for horse stables know how much hassle it could be to regularly spend hours washing off and dusting helmets, saddles, etc. It becomes highly inconvenient to focus on inanimate objects especially when the fundamental priority should be to look after the animal. Not to worry, because saddle soaps have come to the rescue.
They minimize cleaning time and effectively increase the life of saddles.
Below are some products that we found incredibly useful in this regard:
1- Fiebing’s Saddle Soap:
Fiebing’s is a widely renowned manufacturer and distributor of leather care and horse care products and this saddle soap is one prime example. This soap stands out because of the following characteristics:
Ingredients:
All soaps by this brand essentially consist of beeswax (all-natural wax). In addition, lanolin also makes for a major contributor. Wax is fat that supplements moisture and adds suppleness, which is what fiebing’s aims for.
Impact on fabric:
Wax is meant to condition and nourish the leather, revive its freshness and suppleness, and prevent brittleness or stiffness that might come from drying out of the fabric.
The soap combs through the deepest fibers and takes all the grime and stains with it. The most commendable feature is the protective sheen it leaves after every use, which keeps the leather hydrated for future uses. The sheen serves to leave a polished, oily hue that leaves a glossy and sleek finish.
Size:
Solely for the convenience of the buyer’s the formula comes in a versatile size range consisting of:
12 ounces
3.5 ounces
5 pounds
The buyer can choose to buy a whole year’s supply or keep coming back for more every month.
Multifunctional:
Even though our major aim is to provide means for cleaning saddlery, it is equally crucial to will our buyers how expanded the horizon of this soap’s purposefulness is. All kinds of leather goods like boots, couches, belts can be tidied up in the same way.
We have listed the pros and cons for comparative analysis:
Pros:
- Available in three striking colors
- A whole size range to choose from
- Tidies leather products with perfection
- Keeps leather smooth as if new
- Snatches away brittleness from the fabric fibers
- Maintains suppleness and liability of the fabric
- Acts as a leather conditioner
- Adds adequate lubrication and does not deplete the leather from its natural oil
- Leaves a fragrant after-smell
- affordable
- One pack goes a long way
- Multi-purpose: cleans leather boots, shoes, belts, Leather furniture, etc. in addition to saddlery.
Cons:
- Leaves a white hue if not wiped off properly.
2- Bickmore Saddle Soap Plus:
Bickmore is known for bringing outclass goods to the market. It has fulfilled its promises by time-testing formulas since 1882. That is how it has come up with this improved formula having the following remarkable features:
Ingredients:
The plus in the name signifies an unusual addition which is glycerin. This soap is made of 99.7 percent glycerin, neatsfoot oil, and lanolin. Glycerin serves to hold in moisture because it is a humectant. This implies that glycerin is responsible for making the formula intensely hydrating and moisturizing. Lanolin on the other hand is wool wax which performs essentially the same function with the up-gradation that it gives a glossy sheen of oil after use.
Conditioning properties:
Bickmore saddle soap softens and loosens up the wrinkles of leather. It preserves the smooth finish and locks up the moisture, preventing old worn-out leather saddles from wilting and drying out.
Product use:
It can be used to clean horse tack, leather boots, shoes, couches, etc. In other words, it’s an all-in-one commodity.
Water-resistance:
The wax leaves an even coating of oil which serves as a protective layer against unwanted moisture.
Grease and grime deep-cleansing:
The prime function of saddle soap is cleaning and this one does an exceptional job at that. It wipes away salt and grime stains and gets rid of resistant dirt too.
Pros:
- Enhanced moisturizing
- Had Lanolin and neatsfoot oil
- Softens and freshens leather
- Multipurpose: cleans horse tack, leather gloves, couches boots, etc.
- Removes dirt and grime stains
- conditions and makes the leather as good as new
- Loosens up the wrinkles
- One pack goes a long way
- Lathering is fairly easy
Cons:
- Not to be used on suede or napped leather.
- Does not smell nice
3- Kiwi Saddle Soap:
Kiwi aims at the preservation of its goods, improving their shelf life and durability. It does so by incorporating the best ingredients in all the right concoctions to come up with reliable formulas.
One prime example is this saddle soap which has:
Rich lather:
Unlike some oil-based cleaners, this one produces rich lather within a few rubs between your palms. This implied that one only needs a small quantity to get the desired amount of foam.
Ingredients:
For a waxy base, stearic acid, and carnauba wax are added. Lanolin and glycerin serve as accessory hydrating agents.
Soft luster:
Kiwi saddle soap leaves the saddle looking shiny. The saddle has a lustrous hue that protects the moisture from drying out at the same time imparting a profound freshness to the leather.
Cleanliness and suppleness guaranteed:
The soap removes all the deeply embedded dirt and grime from the deepest crevices and grooves and revives the hidden suppleness of the fabric, making it as good as new.
Some additional factors are listed down below for clarity of perspectives:
Pros:
- One pack contains two tins
- Ideal for the preservation of leather
- Smooths wrinkles out
- Conditions leather
- has an additional wax added for moisturizing
- Wipes off effortlessly.
- Manufactured for softening leather
- Keeps the fabric as fresh as new
- Gives a polishing sheen.
- Can be used for all kinds of leather goods, not only saddlery.
Cons:
- Might smell nasty
4- Fiebing’s glycerin Saddle Soap:
Fiebing’s is known to manufacture and distribute leather care and horse care products among the masses.
This soap bar is majorly composed of glycerin, which is unusual. Let’s see how it differs from the rest of the products.
Ingredients:
As mentioned above, the composition is 99 percent glycerin with a waxy base. Glycerin locks the moisture of the fabric so it is incredibly hydrating which restores the leather to its full suppleness without drying it out.
No discoloration:
There are certain misconceptions that glycerin causes discoloration of the fibers but it causes no standing or damage to the fabric whatsoever. Hence why buyers don’t need to worry their heads over such unnecessary issues.
Satin finish:
The oil-based cleaner gives a shiny sheen to the leather and leaves it clean and lustrous for longer hours.
Cleaner and preservative:
This soap is meant to prevent all sorts of structural deformities that one might see in old worn-out leather when it gradually becomes wrinkly and patchy over time. It preserves the fabric optimally and wipes out the deepest, most resistant stains.
Let’s have a look at some additional features:
Pros:
- Suitable for all types of leather
- Does not dry the fabric out
- Maintains its structure
- Does not cause discoloration
- Restores suppleness of leather
- Gives a satin finish with its sheen
- A commendable conditioner and preservative
- Lasts a long time
- Lathers up fine
Cons:
- Not to be used on suede
5- Farnam Leather Soap Foam:
Farnam brings to the market exceptional horse care products like grooming equipment, food, and supplements as well as leather care. One exemplary leather care product is this leather soap. The foam formula aims to clean, condition, and shine your saddle, all in one go. It does so by:
Spraying format:
This product is unusual in this regard. Previously, all soaps were solid or waxy but this one is liquid put in a sprayer. One easy press and the soap dribbles out. The risk of soap slipping around or hands getting slippery is out of the question with this masterpiece. In addition, only a small quantity would be enough.
Foamy consistency:
The soap has a foamy viscosity that lathers up fine and has excellent cleaning properties. It scrubs off stains and dirt from all crevices efficiently.
Portable:
Though all cleaners are small and handy, this one is specifically favorable to be moved around. It is travel-friendly and leakage-proof.
No greasy residue:
The formula does not cause dehydration and at the same time does not leave the oily residue. So the people who like to keep their saddles rough-looking and rugged can safely opt for this option.
Long-lasting luster:
Wiping off the foam leaves the saddle looking glossy. It breathes life into the worn-out leather and prolongs its life. The shiny gleam prevents the leather from dulling and your saddle remains fresh as a daisy for as long as you want.
Some other features are:
Pros:
- Gives a glossy finish
- Easy to use
- Upgraded formula
- Long-lasting
- Polishes and conditions in one go
- Leaves minimal residue
- Handy size
- Portable
- Sprays hard-to-reach areas
- Available in various sizes and applicators
- Not messy in use
- Softens stiff leather
- Spreads easily
Cons:
- Isn’t for unprocessed leather
6- Otter Wax Saddle soap:
Otter wax specializes in leather and fabric maintenance. They make their products in small batches with each batch outdone to perfection. This waxy soap has made a big name due to the following extraordinary features:
Ingredients:
Some quality ingredients that are an essential part of this formula include:
Beeswax
Lemongrass oil
It is remarkable in the sense that the formula is a 100-percent castle which means that it is solely made out of vegetable-based products. It does not incorporate animal fat, silicone, petroleum, or any other toxic substance. It is completely safe and environmentally friendly because the composition is all-natural instead of synthetic inclusions.
This castile soap by otter wax gently cleanses and breathes life into year-old saddles and turns them into polished versions having the vintage feel as well as the clean and sleek outlook.
All-purpose:
Most soaps are not meant to be used with rough, unprocessed leather like suede, etc. But this one is safe to be used with all types of leather and on various objects like couches, belts, saddles, tack sets, jackets, luggage, handbags, etc.
Foamy lather:
Though it appears waxy and oily, a little bit of massaging between brush bristles or your palms is going to give you the finest foamy lather that will effortlessly spread to the deepest indents of your textured saddles.
Scented:
The most common issue with saddle soaps is their awful odor which smells too much like the actual ingredients. Not this one though! This formula is artificially lemon-scented so your saddle is not only going to be the best looking out there, but it will also smell wonderful.
Pros and cons are listed down below.
Pros:
- Environment-friendly ingredients
- Restores moisture
- Revives and freshmen leather
- Conditions and softens fibers of the fabric
- Non-toxic and 100-percent natural ingredients
- All kinds of leather products can be cleaned
- works on suede too
- Contains essential oils to cleanse
- Leaves a shiny residue
- Gives water-resistance protection
- Gentle cleanser
Cons:
- Does not lather up because it’s oil-based
FAQs:
- What is saddle soap?
A leather conditioning cleanser that wipes stains off leather and protects it from damage.
- Is it necessary to use saddle soaps?
Yes if you want to keep your saddle as good as new.
- Do leather soaps lather like normal detergents?
Not always. But the lathering soaps dry leather out and the use of water wears it off.
4- How to use a saddle soap?
Use a small amount of liquid to spread the soap and then a slightly damp cloth should be used to wipe it off.
Buying guide:
Though all the products have been mentioned with complete details, it is still crucial to understand and acknowledge all the aspects of good saddle soap. This is vital because each option above looks equally enticing doesn’t it?
Size and quantity:
Completely need-based is the need to look for what size to get. A whole year’s supply calls for a bigger pack while people who are willing to shop frequently can work with a few ounces which last a month. Another factor is the frequency of washing. Extremely active horse sports, like continuous horse-riding or racing, require frequent cleaning too. On the other hand, horses in stables don’t need to be saddled much and the saddles don’t need to be cleaned much. Whatever the case is, it’s always safer to go for soaps that offer a reasonable size range like Fiebing’s and Farnam soaps.
Packaging:
There have been complaints about inconvenient packages like the soap bars that come in transparent sheets and require a separate container. In case loose soaps are a pet peeve of the buyer, we recommend using sprayer cases or soaps that come in plastic or tin containers.
Natural ingredients:
Though most of the products mentioned above contain beeswax and other natural products, especially commendable in this regard is the Otter Wax soap which is 100-percent natural and environment friendly. We recommend it to all the environment enthusiasts out there.
Hydrating formula:
The rubbing and wiping action will surely get the visible dirt off but one major setback is that frequent scrubbing relieves the leather of its softness and moisture. This is why it is crucial to have a waxy lubricant to restore that hydration. Glycerin and lanolin are good examples of such ingredients. Make sure your chosen brand has them included.
Leather compatibility:
Most soaps are not compatible with rough, unrefined leather like suede. But exceptions are there like otter wax soap. Check the saddle fabric and match its compatibility with the kind of soap you want to get your hands on.
No hue afterward:
Some soaps leave a white snowy residue that gives the impression that the leather is still dirty or worn out. Sift through the reviews carefully in case your desired option leaves residues.
Conclusion: This article attempts at making your horse-riding gear long-lasting and durable. It explains the use and significance of saddle soaps to wash off all stains and any gunk that might have accumulated as a result of many months of rigorous use. The six products mentioned above are guaranteed to provide convenience to the users as well as life to all the saddles that need reviving, literally fetching them out of their coffins. With that being said, ponder hard and consider choosing one from the list above.